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June 2019 Newsletter

Jun 16, 2019 | Newsletter & Meeting Archive

JUNE 2019 NEWSLETTER

GRANDPARENTS AGAINST GUN VIOLENCE

THE ROAD TO SENSIBLE GUN LAWS: STILL MILES TO GO

Monday, June 24
4:00 – 5:45 p.m.
Colonial Church in Prairie Village
(lower level, east side at back)
7039 Mission Road

We’ve known the road to enacting common sense gun legislation in Kansas and Missouri would be a long one. This month we’ll hear from two veteran state legislators traveling that road who have been urging their colleagues to move faster.

Rep. Stephanie Clayton, who has served in Topeka since 2013, and Rep. Judy Morgan, who has served in Jefferson City since 2011, will discuss firearms-related bills introduced in their respective chambers during the most recent legislative session. Of particular interest were bills related to background checks and Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPO).

Both will also suggest ways we can make our voices heard and affect the legislative process even when the legislatures are not in session.

Join us to learn how we can prod our elected officials to make the same kind of progress other states have already made.


ADVOCACY CORNER

Earlier this Spring we examined the 25 Ways to be Politically Active and at the time, added our own #26: Show appreciation when something positive happens.

Many of you did just that when you joined our Advocacy Action in March by sending a postcard to thank Dick’s Sporting Goods for its decision to stop selling guns of any kind in many of its stores. In turn, many of us later received notes thanking us signed by Edward Stack, Dick’s CEO – take a look. Advocacy works; our voices were heard! 

Mr. Stack’s own advocacy extends beyond Dick’s, which he has headed since 1984. He has also backed a federal bill extending background checks and has joined the Everytown for Gun Safety Business Council. Learn more about Mr. Stack and what motivated him to take this stance:

A horrific school shooting was the last straw for the CEO of Dick’s Sporting Goods

Speaking of advocacy, here are two more ways you can advocate for GAGV.

This one’s for all you online shoppers: GAGV can now be designated as your charity of choice to receive .5% of your Amazon purchases through the site’s AmazonSmile program.

To select GAGV, go to smile.amazon.com, then click on your account. Look for the box titled ‘Other Programs’ in lower right corner and click on ‘option to change charities.’ Type in Grandparents Against Gun Violence in the search bar. Click on ‘select.’ 

Remember, once you’ve selected GAGV, all your future Amazon shopping must start from smile.amazon.com in order to benefit GAGV.

According to Amazon, more than $124 million has been collected for charities since AmazonSmile started in October 2013. Let’s get after that!

And if you love Facebook, LIKE US on Facebook, too. If you haven’t already, LIKE US the next time you visit the Grandparents Against Gun Violence page. There’s strength in numbers! The more people who like us on FB, the farther our information spreads. Invite your friends to LIKE US and share our posts on your page.



HEARTLAND COALITION COMMUNITY FORUM UPDATE

Monday Oct 14, 2019

Committees are meeting. Planning is ongoing. Decisions are being made. It’s happening!

In addition to Azim Khamisa and Plex Felix, our inspiring keynote speakers whose families were changed by gun violence, you’ll hear from an impressive panel of first responders. These are the professionals who are among the first to encounter victims of gun violence, often before even family members arrive.

Dr. Rob Winfield, a trauma surgeon at KU Medical Center, Rev. David McDaniel, senior pastor of Holmeswood Baptist Church and a former chaplain at Children’s Mercy Hospital and KCPD Sgt. Johnita Harris will each share experiences from their work on the front lines of gun violence. The panel presentation will be followed by a Q & A session moderated by Nick Haines, executive director of public affairs at KCPT and host of its “Kansas City Week in Review.”

Not only do we hope you’ll attend the Forum, we hope you’ll consider becoming a sponsor, too. Learn more about sponsorship opportunities and help spread the word by sharing the Save the Date with family and friends. Post it on your Facebook page, too.

Interested in volunteering for the Forum? Just email us  and we’ll get right back to you. All help is welcome. 

Mark Your Calendars

July 22 – GAGV Monthly Meeting: Helping Our LGBTQ Youth Thrive and Survive

Sgt. Kim Shaw Ellis – Basic Training Instructor, Diversity Officer, and LGBTQ Liaison Officer, KCPD

August 26 – GAGV Monthly Meeting – Suicide Awareness Month 

Claire Tietgen discussing her experience with teen suicide, and her father Charlie Tietgen.

September 23 – GAGV Monthly Meeting – Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Brian Porch, Domestic Violence Court Advocate, JoCo District Attorney’s Office

October 14 – 6th Annual Community Forum
Sponsored by the Heartland Coalition Against Gun Violence, a program of Grandparents Against Gun Violence.

Gun Violence: Insights from Both Ends of the Gun

  • 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
  • Best Conference Center, KU Edwards Campus at 126th & Quivira Road in Overland Park

News You Can Use 

Excellent article about the merits of gun locks:

Locking up guns could reduce teen and childhood firearm deaths by a third

News and commentary about gun research:

Gun Research is Suddenly Hot

Colorado doctors need research to help them prevent gun deaths

Florida arms its teachers:

School shootings: Florida arms its teachers

What GAGV’s Been Up To

The Troost Festival – May 18

Anne Weaver and Judy Sherry joined Mothers United to lead the opening parade.


Gun Violence Awareness Day – June 2

More than 40 GAGV supporters rallied at the J.C. Nichols Fountain to demonstrate against gun violence. We carried some great signs and got lots of honks and high fives from passing drivers. Even the police came to protect us! Channel 41 was there and gave us good coverage that evening.